Door stop

ABSTRACT

A door mounted stop which includes a pivotally mounted depending leg swingable downward into frictional engagement with the floor as to prevent an inward swinging of a door at any point along the path of movement of the door. A releasable lock is provided for retaining the door stop in the movement retarding position against the biasing force of spring means which, upon a release of the lock, will return the door stop to a retracted position.

United States Patent 1 Chezem 1 June 5,1973

[ DOOR STOP [76] Inventor: Jimmie A. Chezem, PO. Box 2232,

Sarasota, Fla. 33578 [22] Filed: Aug. 19, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 173,310

[52] US. Cl ..292/338, 292/D1G. 1 5 [51] Int. Cl. ..E05c 17/12 [58] Field of Search ..292/338, 342, 278,

292/D1G. 15; 70/94; 16/82, 86 A, 86 C [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,687,517 10/1928 Sasgen ..292/338 2,109,127 2/1938 Carlson 292/342 X 2,682,683 7/1954 La Padula... 292/338 X 2,737,408 3/1956 Sperry ..292/342 2,760,224 8/1956 Hennelly i ..16/86 Gray ..292/338 X 318,323 5/1885 Teetyel ..292/338 X 1,158,599 11/1915 Wall ..292/D1G. 9 1,534,902 4/1925 Borne ..292/D1G. 15

Primary Examiner-Richard E. Moore Attorney-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson 57 ABSTRACT A door mounted stop which includes a pivotally mounted depending leg swingable downward into frictional engagement with the floor as to prevent an inward swinging of a door at any point along the path of movement of the door. A releasable lock is provided for retaining the door stop in the movement retarding position against the biasing force of spring means which, upon a release of the lock, will return the door stop to a retracted position.

7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUH 5 I975 3.737.186

SHEET 2 OF 2 Fig. 6 @D 88 L .u z v////////////////! Jimmie A. Chezem IN VEN TOR.

BY wfigmuwmwm DOOR STOP The instant invention is generally concerned with door stops or door checks, and more particularly relates to a door stop which can be effectively engaged so as to prevent a further opening of the door regardless of the position of the door or whether it be completely closed or partially open.

The door stop includes a base for mounting on the associated door a spaced distance above the lower marginal edge of the door at a point adjacent the free swinging edge thereof. An upstanding door checking leg has its upper end pivotally supported from the base for swinging of the lower end of the leg toward and away from the lower marginal edge of the door and the effective length of the leg is such that when the leg is swung toward the door it will contact the associated floor structure adjacent the free swinging edge of the door at a point spaced slightly outwardly of a vertical plane containing the axis of oscillation of the door checking leg and the lower end of the leg may be swung upwardly away from engagement with the associated floor upon movement of the lower end of the leg away from the lower marginal edge of the door. Further, a releasable latch is provided and operatively associated with the door checking leg in order to releasably retain the latter in its operative position engaged with the associated floor.

It is a primary object of the instant invention to provide a door stop which will preclude unauthorized entry through the door, even assuming the door is partially open. Basically, the door stop of the instant invention allows the occupant to partially open the door so as to observe the caller and, assuming entry is to be denied, immediately engage the door stop or door check in a manner whereby any effort of the caller to gain entry through the door will be effectively prevented, physical force applied against the door tending to rigidify rather than weaken the door retarding action of the door stop.

In conjunction with the above object, it is a significant object that the door stop or check of the instant invention be immediately engaged through physical contact therewith, such normally being by means ofthe occupants foot pushing or stepping on the stop.

Another significant object of the instant invention resides in the incorporation of a releasable lock in conjunction therewith which retains the door stop in its door retarding position regardless of efforts to manipulate the door in a manner contemplated to release the stop.

In conjunction with the above object, it is also a significant object of the instant invention to provide a lock which when desirable, can be quickly and effortlessly released by the occupant with the door stop automatically returning to an unlocked position which allows for free movement of the door.

These together with other'objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the door stop or check of the instant invention in its mounted position with the floor engaging leg or movement checking member in locked engagement with the floor;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 with the leg in the unlocked position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 4-4 in FIG. 2 and illustrating the hinged mounting arrangement;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the door stop;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modified unit illustrated in mounted position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on the plane passing along line 7-7 in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a detail view illustrating the utilization of magnetic means for retaining the door itself fully open;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view illustrating the most convenient manner of engaging the foot stop; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 1010 in FIG. 6.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 20 is used to generally designate the door stop orcheck comprising the instant invention. The door stop 20 consists of basically three members, the mounting base or member 22, the floor engaging leg or checking member 24, and the releasable lock member 26.

The base 22 includes a flat rear surface or face 28 for flush engagement against the inner face of a door 30 to which it is fixed by means of a plurality of driven fasteners 32 received within countersunk bores 34 provided therefor through the base 22.

The base 22 increases downwardly in thickness for approximately three-quarters of its height, at which point the base is undercut so as to form a generally right angular downwardly opening pocket or recess defined by a horizontal surface 36 and a vertical surface 38. The horizontal downwardly directed surface 36 is provided with a series of depending hinge knuckles 40 which intermesh with similar knuckles 42 projecting upwardly from the upper edge of the door checking leg 24. A suitable elongated hinge'pin 44 is of course engaged through the aligned hinge knuckles 40 and 42 so as to effect a pivotal mounting of the leg 24 on the base 22 in a depending manner. The leg 24 will, in its unlocked position as illustrated in FIG. 3, a biased upwardly and forwardly relative to the base 22 and inner face of the door 30 by means of a resilient leaf spring 46 which projects forwardly from the lower edge of the base into engagement with the rear face of the member 24. This leaf spring 46 will preferably be received within a shallow recess 48 defined in the rear surface 28 of the base 22 and fixedly engaged with the base 22 by a plurality of driven fasteners 50, the recess 48, in addition to the flat headed fasteners, maintaining the planar nature of the rear surface 28 of the base 22 for flush engagement against the face of the door 30.

When it becomes desirable to engage the leg or check member 24 with the floor 52 so as to preclude an inward swinging of the door, the member 24 is swung downwardly to the position of FIG. 2 with the lower or foot portion 54 of the member engaging the floor 52 at a point forward of the vertical plane of the hinge mount 40-44. The lower surface of the foot portion 54 of the member 24 will normally be provided with an effective gripping surface 56, such as a serrated rubber layer or the like, so as to provide for a positive grip on the floor 52. It will of course be appreciated that the vertical height of the door stop 20 will have to be appropriately adjusted prior to an actual mounting on the door 30 so as to insure this desired engagement of the foot portion 54 of the member 24. Once engaged, in the position of FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that further inward movement of the door 30 will be precluded, with any pressure on the door 30 merely tending to increase the frictional engagement of the check member with the floor.

With the structure as just described, there may, upon a slight closing movement of the door 30 be a tendency for the check member to release and move to the unlocked position of FIG. 3 under the influence of leaf spring 46. In order to avoid this, the lock member 26 is provided. This lock member 26 consists of an elongated shank portion 58 having an enlarged head 60 on the forward end thereof, the shank portion 58 being laterally flexible to a slight degree while at the same time being longitudinally extensible to a lesser degree.

This shank portion 58 consists of a first rigid stem 62 rigidly affixed to the base 22 adjacent the lower end thereof and projecting approximately perpendicularly forward therefrom. A second stem portion 64 is longitudinally aligned with the stem 62 in spaced relation thereto with the two stems or stem portions 62 and 64 being interlocked by a coiled tension spring 66 telescoped over and rigidly affixed to the aligned stems 62 and 64. The forward stem 64 in turn has the enlarged head 60 rigidly mounted thereon, or integrally formed therewith as desired. The leg or check member 24 has an enlarged transverse passage 68 therethrough in alignment with and receiving the lock member 26. The lock member 26 is so orientated relative to the passage 64 and the leg 24 itself as to, noting FIG. 2, position the enlarged head 60 forward of the leg member 24 in its floor engaging locked position with the enlarged head 60 being laterally, or in this instance upwardly, biased to the upper limit of the passage 68, the enlarged head 60 actually engaging the forward face of the leg member 24 so as to retain the leg 24 against the biasing force of the leaf spring 46 and retain the foot portion 54 thereof into locked engagement with the floor 52. In this manner the lock member 26, during any closing movement of the door 30, will allow a sliding of the gripping surface 56 along the floor as the door 30 is moved toward a closed position, and will, upon a ceasing of the closing movement of the door 30, immediately positively re-engage the gripping surface 56 with the floor 52 so as to prevent a corresponding opening movement of the door 30. Thus, any potential intruder, in attempting to release the door stop 20 through a selective closing and opening of the door 30, will merely produce a progressive closing of the door 30 in light of the one-way clutch or brake operation of the door 20 itself.

With reference to FIG. 3, it will be appreciated that a release of the lock member 26 by the occupant merely involves a lateral pivoting of the head 60, effective through the nature of the coil spring 66, so as to allow the head 60 to be received within the passage 68. This in return will result in a lateral cocking of the lock member 26 for an instantaneous engagement of the head 60 whenever the leg 24 is again pivoted downward into its floor engaging position.

From FIGS. 1 and it will be appreciated that the door stop is relatively wide so as to form a substantial unit possessing the desired degree of strength both from a structural standpoint and from the standpoint of providing a positive locking engagement between the door 30 and the floor 52. In addition, it will be noted that the foot portion 54 of the leg 24 actually defines a slight rearwardly projecting lip which can be quickly engaged by thefoot of the person opening the door 30. Other features which will be appreciated from FIGS. 2 and 3 are that, through the particular location of the hinge connected between the base member 22 and the leg member 24, movement of the leg 24 beyond the two positions illustrated in the Figures will actually be limited by contact with the adjoining portions of the base 22. Thus, the horizontal surface 36 will always retain the unlocked leg 24 for easy access thereto for an engagement thereof into the locked position. By the same token, because of the forwardly directed nature of the foot 54, even were the leg 24 to swing to its extreme locked position, engaged against the vertical face 38 of the base 22, the foot portion 54 would still maintain a positive locked engagement with the floor 52.

As an additional function of the door stop 20, it will be noted that a magnetic element has been embedded within the forward face of the foot portion 54, it being contemplated that this magnetic element 70 engage against an appropriate magnetically attractable element mounted on an adjoining wall so as to retain the door open as might on occasion be desired.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 6-10, it will be appreciated that a modified form of door stop or check 72 has been illustrated therein. The door stop 72 includes a flat mounting base 74 suitably affixed to the door 30 adjacent the lower end thereof by driven fasteners 76. This base 74 has a plurality of hinge knuckles 78 projecting forwardly therefrom toward the upper end thereof which intermesh with similar knuckles 80 provided on the leg or check member 82 for the reception of a hinge pin 84 therethrough whereby a pivotal movement of the leg 82 relative to the base 74 canbe effected somewhat as in the manner described supra with regard to the door stop 20. In the door stop unit 72 the actual biasing of the leg 82 to its unlocked position relative'to the base 74 is effected by means of two springs 86, each spring having the intermediate portion thereof coiled about the hinge pin 84 and the extremities thereof engaging the forward face of the base 74 and the rear face of the leg 82 so as to bias the leg 82 forward of the base 74 and hence pivotally upward as will be readily appreciated from FIG. 7.

The leg or movement checking member 82 includes a first vertical portion 87, the associated knuckles 80 projecting laterally from the upper edge of the vertical portion 87. The lower edge of the portion 87 termimates in a forward directed platform defining foot portion 88. This foot portion 88 has a gripping pad or the like 90 affixed to the lower surface thereof so as to provide a positive gripping engagement with the floor 52. Further, this foot portion 88 is of a substantial front to rear width so as to provide in effect a positive step for the reception of the foot of the operator. This in turn allows an instantaneous engagement of the door stop 72, as well as a positive and rigid locking engagement thereof by one merely stepping on the enlarged foot 88 as illustrated in FIG. 9. It is also contemplated that the upper surface of this portion 88 be serrated or otherwise roughened so as to enable one to immediately engage his foot therewith and apply the pressure necessary so as to engage the leg 82. Along these same lines, it will be appreciated that a simple downward pressure on the foot portion 88 will result in the swinging movement necessary to engage the floor 52.

As will be noted from FIG. 7 in particular, it is also contemplated that the lock member 26 be utilized in conjunction with this form of door stop 72, the vertical portion 87 of the leg 82 incorporating the necessary transverse lock member receiving passage 92 therethrough for operation of the lock member 26 in the same manner as described supra with regard to the door stop unit 20.

Finally, noting FIGS. 6 and 8, it is also contemplated that this form of door stop 72 utilizes a magnetic elementor elements 94 for temporarily retaining the door 30 in its full open position. In this particular form, the magnetic element 94 is mounted on the adjacent wall and is utilized so as to attract either the forward edge portion of the foot portion 88 itself, assuming it is constructed of a suitable metal, or in the alternative, an appropriate magnetic element embedded therein as illustrated in connection with the door stop 20.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a pair of highly unique generally similar door stops have been set forth, such doors stops incorporating means for providing a positive checking of the door by the occupant at any position with any unauthorized entry therethrough being effectively precluded.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

l. A door stop comprising a mounting base rigidly mountable on a door adjacent the lower edge thereof, a rigid leg generally depending from said mounting base, means hingedly mounting said leg on said mounting base for movement between a generally vertical floor engaging locked position and an upwardly swung released position, means for resiliently biasing said leg to said released position, and lock means for releasably locking said leg in said floor engaging position comprising an elongated shank portion having one end thereof rigidly affixed to said base and terminating in an enlarged head on the other end thereof, said leg having a passage transversely therethrough receiving said shank, said head being received within said passage when said leg is in its released position, at least the other end of said shank being biased laterally toward contact with one side of said passage for displacement of said head over the forward face of said leg when said leg is in the floor engaging locked position releasably preventing movement of said leg from said locked position toward said released position.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the lower portion of said leg terminates in a generally laterally directed foot portion for easy activation thereof.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said foot portion defines a relatively wide flat foot receiving upper surface.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said leg includes a substantially vertical portion terminating, at its lower edge, in a laterally directed relatively wide foot portion, said foot portion presenting a flat pressure receiving upper surface and a corresponding lower floor engaging surface, said surfaces generally orientated horizontally.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said shank is laterally resilient and constantly biasing the enlarged head for automatic engagement upon a movement of the leg to the floor engaging position.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said shank includes as a portion of the length thereof, a resilient section providing for the desired lateral resiliency in conjunction with a slight degree of longitudinal extensibilmy.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said ends of said shank are axially spaced apart and joined by a stiff coil spring lengthwise disposed therebetween and having its opposite ends secured to said shank ends. 

1. A door stop comprising a mounting base rigidly mountable on a door adjacent the lower edge thereof, a rigid leg generally depending from said mounting base, means hingedly mounting said leg on said mounting base for movement between a generally vertical floor engaging locked position and an upwardly swung released position, means for resiliently biasing said leg to said released position, and lock means for releasably locking said leg in said floor engaging position comprising an elongated shank portion having one end thereof rigidly affixed to said base and terminating in an enlarged head on the other end thereof, said leg having a passage transversely therethrough receiving said shank, said head being received within said passage when said leg is in its released position, at least the other end of said shank being biased laterally toward contact with one side of said passage for displacement of said head over the forward face of said leg when said leg is in the floor engaging locked position releasably preventing movement of said leg from said locked position toward said released position.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the lower portion of said leg terminates in a generally laterally directed foot portion for easy activation thereof.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said foot portion defines a relatively wide flat foot receiving upper surface.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said leg includes a substantially vertical portion terminating, at its lower edge, in a laterally directed relatively wide foot portion, said foot portion presenting a flat pressure receiving upper surface and a corresponding lower floor engaging surface, said surfaces generally orientated horizontally.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said shank is laterally resilient and constantly biasing the enlarged head for automatic engagement upon a movement of the leg to the floor engaging position.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said shank includes as a portion of the length thereof, a resilient section providing for the desired lateral resiliency in conjunction with a slight degree of longitudinal extensibility.
 7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said ends of said shank are axially spaced apart and joined by a stiff coil spring lengthwise disposed therebetween and having its opposite ends secured to said shank ends. 